After tests confirmed irreversible brain damage, his family took the decision to switch off his life support system and were by his side when he died on Tuesday.

Srnicek was a popular figure on Tyneside, and had visited Newcastle only this month to publicise his book 'Pavel is a Geordie'.

At his family's request, Newcastle fans had paid their tribute to him by singing his name at the two matches since his collapse.

Srnicek had been in Newcastle promoting his autobiography just prior to his collapse

Shearer wrote on Twitter: "So v v sad to lose my friend and former team-mate @PavelSrnicekUK. My thoughts are with his family at this awful time."

Other former team-mates followed suit, including Keith Gillespie, who tweeted: "So sad to hear about Pavel Srnicek. Proud to have known him and play with him. Absolute gentleman. #RIPPAV."

Srnicek, capped 49 times for the Czech Republic, made 150 appearances for Newcastle from 1991 to 1998 and went on to have spells with Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and West Ham before returning to St James' Park in 2006.

His release the following year brought an end to his playing career, but he remained in the game and was working as goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague when he died.

Fans pay tribute to Pavel Srnicek

His agent, Steve Wraith, announced his death in statement released on Facebook and Twitter.

Wraith added: "My final conversation with him was about getting the entertainers team back together one more time for charity next year as it will be 20 years since that Newcastle team almost won the Premier League.

"We will make that happen and celebrate this great man's life together. United. Fans and players alike."

Other taking to Twitter to voice their sympathy included fellow keeper Peter Schmeichel, who said: "It's with incredible sadness I have learned that Pavel Srnicek has died. A gentleman and a great sportsman. RIP my friend".

Newcastle keeper Tim Krul tweeted: "Such a tragedy. An honour to have known & worked with you. Great man and a legend, puts things in perspective. #rip."

His former clubs, Portsmouth and Wednesday, also took to Twitter while Newcastle's rivals Sunderland offered their condolences to his family.